Swimming appliance.



J. R. TETERS. SWIMMING APPLIANCE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.19, 1912.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

JOHN R. TETEBS, 0F SUNNYSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

SWIMMING APPLIANCE.

Leanna.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 26,1913.

Application filed August 19, 1912. Serial No. 715,751.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. TETERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sunnyside, county of San Diego, and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Swimming Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to swimming appliances which are applicable for purposes of recreation and instruction in the water, and the principal object of this invention is to provide an appliance that can be readily and easily adjusted to fit operators of different size.

It is also an object to provide a device that can be folded and thus adapted for storage and transportation.

It Is also an object to provide means for propelling a device of this character of simple form and operation.

It is a further object to provide a structure that has a characteristic boat shape and formed along the lines that will be easily operated in smooth or rough water.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming therewith the application for Letters Patent: Figure 1 is a sketch elevation of the device shown with an operator supported thereon in the natural position the device will assume when in the water. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 4c is a cross-section of line 44 of Fig. 3, viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a detail of the hinge member showing it in locked position. Fig. 6 is also a detail of the hinge showing it folded and the bolt in unlocked position. Fig. 7 is a detail side view of the adjusting means and its spring locking bolt.

Referring more particularly to the com-' ponent members of the device 10 designates e bow member and-11 the frame thereof, to which is hinged the frame of the stern member 12 by the hinges 13. The bow member is substantially the same form as the bowof a boat and its underbody is provided with a double hull formed by two sections 14 and 15. The outer section 14, conforming as stated to the general shape of the bow of a boat, the inner section or hull adapted to approximately conform to the body of an operator. The area inclosed by these two hulls forming a water-tight reservoir of considerable buoyancy. The frame or gunwale of this member are continued forwardly and form a sort of prow or figurehead 16 to serve as a support. for the tiller ropes and a protection to the head of an operator supported thereon.

Pivotally mounted on the outer. hull 14 on a stud 17 is the rudder 18 its upper edge conforming with the underbody or keel of the hull, its rear or stern end being guided on the supporting traveler 19 projecting downwardly from the bottom of the hull 14, as clearly shown in Fig. 4:. This traveler is embraced by a strap 20 rigidly secured to the rudder, the strap having eye-bolts 21 secured thereto, to which are fastened one end of the tiller ropes 22, the forward ends of which are secured to the prow 16, suitable guiding eyes 23 being provided to secure and guide the lines, which are locatedwithin easy reach of the operator. Also Within easy reach of the operator are the means for adjusting the device as to its length, the frame being divided and formed into a sliding guide-way 24.- adapted to receive the sliding end of the frame 25, the latter being provided with notches 26 on its lower edge, which are engaged as desired by the spring mounted bolt 27, arranged to slide in oneedge of the guide-way 24:. The two sliding ends 25, which project slightly be yond the hull and are hinged at the point 28, so that the side bars 29 of the stern member may be folded over in proximity as shown in the detail Fig. 6. On the lower side of the bars 29 are mounted the sliding bolts 30, which are adapted to engage and register in the strike 31 on the bar 25 and rigidly secure the two in their operative position. The said bars 29 are continued rearwardly and joined to form a loop approximating the shape of the stern of a boat and inclosed at the stern end. are bearings '32 for the shaft 33, on which is mounted the propeller 34, preferably placed outside the frame of the stern member 12. The forward end of the shaft 32 is provided with a pinion 35 meshing with a larger wheel 36 securely keyed to the crank-shaft 37. This crankshaft 37 extends transversely in the frame of the'ster'nlmember and is mounted in suitable bearings 38 on the latter. The two cranks located in the same axial plane, have bearing 39 mounted on their crank-bearing and rigidly secured to these bearings are the foot rests or pedals 4.0. Straps 4:1 placed in suitable position thereon rigidly secure the There floats can be packed inside the frame when the device is folded.

As will readily be seen by referring to the illustration Fig. 1,the twomembers are shown extended and locked in position and the operator climbs into the bow member and slips his arms through the straps 44, which are secured to the eye-bolts on the bars 25. These straps are adapted to 'fit over the opposite shoulder of the operator to the side to which they are attached and when firmly settled in the device the feet can be slipped into the stra s 41 to engage the pedals 40 and by pe aling, the propeller is revolved and the device advanced through the water. The straps 44 take the thrust of the pedaling action and the arms are left free to operate the rudder by grasping the tiller lines 22. When the rudder is in fixed position and the hands are not required for steering they may be used in the ordinary swimming movement to assist the propelling action and accustom and educate an operator to the natural propelling methods in swimming, without the aid of mechanical devices.

hat I claim is:

1. A swimming device, comprising a pair of members hinged together, propeller means mounted on one of said members, means to adjust the length of said members, and looped shoulder straps secured to the sides of the other of said member and pass over the oppositely disposed shoulder from the fastening of said straps of an operator secured thereby in said device.

2. A swimming device, cbmprising a pair of members hinged together, one of said members being adapted to support the body of an operator and having an air chamber formed therein, a rudder mounted on the keel of said air chamber in operative relation thereto, means for operating the rudder, floats foldably secured to said second member, and a propeller operatively mounted on. said member.

3. A swimming device, comprising a pair of members hinged together, one of said members being adapted to support the body of an operator and having an air chamber formed therein, a pivoted rudder mounted on said air chamber, a guide bar for said pivoted rudder secured to said chamber, rudder lines secured to said rudder and said body, guiding means for said rudder '1 lines, foldable floats secured to the second of said hinged member, and means to propel said device.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of August, 1912. JOHN R. TETERS. Witnesses:

J. L. FREELAND, WM. HUMPHREY. 

